The Federal High Court in Abuja will today deliver judgment in the terrorism trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, with proceedings to be broadcast live nationwide.

The court registrar confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday morning, as camera crews from major television stations including NTA, Channels TV, AIT and TVC arrived early to set up their equipment inside the courtroom for the unprecedented live transmission.

Justice James Omotosho had earlier fixed November 7 as the date for judgment, following the closure of the defence’s case.

Kanu’s Defence Foreclosed

The decision came after Kanu insisted he would not open his defence under what he described as a repealed law. The court, however, held that he had exhausted the six days allocated to him to present his defence.

Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu had effectively waived his right to defend himself by refusing to proceed, noting that the court would have considered extending the defence period if he had agreed to open his case.

“Having failed to utilise the opportunity given to him to conduct his defence, he cannot claim to have been denied the constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair hearing,” the judge held.

High-Stakes Judgment

The live broadcast has drawn significant public interest, given the national attention surrounding Kanu, whose arrest and trial have fueled political, legal and security debates for years.

Security presence around the court has reportedly increased as staff, journalists and observers await the ruling.